Whenever I post a photo of any of my ever-expanding handmade mug collection on social media I get comments about how beautiful they are. So I thought I'd spill the beans and credit the very talented Etsy potters behind my top four current favourite mugs...

Left to right: ViCeramics, KaraLeighFord, JuliaSmithCeramics and KaraLeighFord again.

Far left: A gorgeous blue cup by Virginia Balistreri of ViCeramics. I actually own two of these - they are so pretty, the texture is lovely. This was £15 on Etsy, and was the most beautifully packaged thing I have ever seen... the box was full of intricate origami made out of of little bits of newspaper. It was such a lovely surprise! I love getting these cups out when I have a guest so we can have matching cups!

Centre left: My first handmade mug, bought after watching the first series of The Great Pottery Throwdown in 2015; this beauty is by Somerset potter Kara Leigh Ford. I love him so much! He was a very reasonable £16 on Etsy. He's a lovely size and shape, just perfect to wrap your hands round on a cold day. Perfect for herbal tea or coffee alike.

Centre right: Oh wow. Now this is a special mug. It combines my love of mugs with one of my very favourite things, swimming. It's made by Inverness-based potter Julia Smith. My friend Katy told me about Julia's Etsy shop, and I fell in love with the little diver right away! It cost £20 on Etsy. It instantly makes me feel cosy and content, this amazing mug. Other designs are equally covetable...

Right: My most recent mug acquisition is a return to my old friend Kara Leigh Ford (we're not actually friends, but I am sure we would be if we ever met each other, even if it was just so I could get a load of free mugs). This is possibly even more satisfying than the original chap, but it's a really close call. What a way to start a morning, with a strong, sugary black coffee out of this beautiful speckled duck-egg mug. He was worth every penny of the £18 he cost me on Etsy.

So there you go - the lowdown on my expanding handmade mug collection. Watch out on Instagram as - inevitably - it grows. And if you have any recommendations for new Etsy potters for me to check out then please do let me know!